G
Guest
A MED USERS VACATION IN CALIFORNIA
By Joe Dirt
At the time this trip was taken, the Supreme Court of the USA had not issued a decision on the Medical Marijuana ruling in Raich VS Gonzales. This is a key ruling that will determine the Federal Governments position on states rights in regards to Interstate Commerce. The reality is that the whole thing is over a few plants grown by a few sick people for personal medical use as recommended by a California State Licensed MD. Although the ruling will not change the current State Laws (Prop 215 and State Bill 420) it will give certain prosecutors more incentive to turn patients over to the DEA knowing that they will prosecute a case that the Local County DA knows they cannot win. Prosecutors in Counties such as Mendocino, Sonoma, and others mostly Northern California often choose not to even bother going after a legit medical user if they are showing intent to follow the State Laws and Limits. Other Counties are not so compassionate and will let you go free only to find the DEA waiting for you in the other office.
9 States currently have Medical Marijuana laws on the books with more to follow.
With another hectic year behind me, it is time once again to take a trip. The wedding of a good friend was good enough incentive to grab the camera and a rent-a-car and hit the road on another MEDUSERS CANNAVENTURE.
The morning of the trip I awoke to a well cured nugget of C99 (GNO3). Since the Airports are still Federally operated, traveling with meds is still a no-no. Just ask Montel Williams. I finished the sweet smoke and had plenty of time to relax before the flight to Northern California. The high lasted the whole flight.
When I arrived in San Jose, the capitol of Silicon (and Silicone) Valley, I had only one thing in mind… well, 2 things.
TRAVEL TIP:
When I prepare for traveling, I like the ease of the ONLINE , one-stop shopping of the wholesale travel websites like Expedia or Orbitz. Using your Frequent Flier program, and booking your flight, hotel and rental car online can save you a good chunk of change, and you get to enjoy stress free travel.
While visiting California, I recommend using a rental car or have a friend with a car. Public transit is great in the larger cities, but does not allow the freedom of spontaneous side trips to the more out of the way spots.
With a full tank of gas I was off to take care of getting the necessities of the trip..It should take about an hour to drive from San Jose to the City of San Francisco, maybe a bit longer due to the horrible traffic that plagues most urban areas these days. The drive takes me through the scenic peninsula of Silicon Valley. Once in the city I head directly to THE VAPOUR ROOM in the lower Haight.
The City of San Francisco currently has over 60 dispensing collectives, or CLUBS as they are commonly called. Once you go the City of San Francisco Health Department and submit your Doctor’s Recommendation, they issue you a photo id card that is accepted at most Collectives. The Oakland Cannabis Buyers Club (OCBC) is another registry system that allows patient verifications by LEO 24 hours a day to help prevent arrest and seizure of your medical herbs.
Once I arrive at the Vapour Room I show my ID card at the door for entry into the lounge area. In the lounge you can find a Volcano Vaporizer for you to try and a comfortable seating area. Just past the lounge is the dispensary. It is a glass display case full of medication in jars, rolled into joints and baked into food items.
The large glass jars of medicine are arranged by canna – profile with Sativas on the left , Hybrids in the middle, and Indicas to the right. They also have an impressive tray with about 12 types of hash. I saw the Trainwreck Bubblehash and had to have it for the trip. It was gooey and amber colored. It sizzled as it smoked inside the joint we rolled with some of the MAUI they had. The other strain we purchased was AK-47.
The Public Transportation in the city is great. I left the rental car in the Haight, grabbed the backpack and headed toward Fisherman’s Wharf on foot. On a clear quit day you can find a spot to hang out overlooking the San Francisco Bay, from Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate to enjoy a nice smoke. This is not recommended for busy times on the weekend or holidays because of the amount of people around.
PLEASE BE SURE NOT TO SMOKE ON NATIONAL PARK PROPERTY, IE: Fort Mason. They have a zero tolerance policy as it is a Federal Property.
EAT HERE:
After the smooth smoke I enjoyed a peaceful urban hike to China Town for lunch at one of my favorite places… The House Of Nan King. Many years ago this place was a dump, but the food was always great. If you did not know what you wanted to order, and dare ask the owner/waiter for a suggestion NO SOUP FOR YOU! Just like the soup Nazi from the TV show Seinfeld, this was a NO BULLSHIT place. He would ask you “chicken or pork” then bring you whatever he wanted. This is why I love this place. The charm of real people and great food always bring me back. They have now renovated the place and cleaned it up a bit, but the food is still the same, and the service is too! I always order the Nan King Chicken and the Chicken Potstickers with spicy peanut sauce.
GOT GAME?
China town is just a short walk from South Park. This area has grown since the Baseball Park was built a few years ago. You can watch up to 4 innings FREE in a special public viewing area right at field level. There are also great restaurants and bars along with markets and very expensive condos and hotels.
Walk out to one of the public piers for a great view of the Bay Bridge, Oakland and Sausalito. Usually these piers are quiet enough to enjoy a careful toke.
There is so much to see and do in the city that you really need to spend a few days there to get adjusted and see all the wonderful sights.
California is blessed with variety. Not only does it boast the origins of Skunk#1 and other fine varieties of Cannabis, it is also the home of notable areas such as the wine making regions of Santa Barbra, Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino. World class wines and beauty are all around, but we can not forget places like Mavericks, a big wave surfers wet dream.
The lush Mendocino Forest stands out in contrast to the arid deserts of Death Valley, as does the alien landscape of Vasquez rocks (SEE PHOTO), the Location where Star Trek filmed it’s famous Lizzard Man episode only an hour outside the sprawling urban wasteland of Los Angeles.
Back on the road and in search of adventure I decided to take Skyline Drive back from San Francisco to San Jose where I was to be a guest at a wedding that next day. A nice diversion from the often stressful 101 freeway, SkylineDrive is at the crest of the San Mateo Mountains. As the gateway to Halfmoon bay and Santa Cruz, it is lined with old growth Redwoods and rolling pasture lands meeting up with steep lush mountainside. Several thousand cannabis plants were recently uprooted by CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Propagation) in this area. I hope a few survived and will be enjoyed this fall.
Before the trip I started reading a Novel about an experience in a small town in Mendocino called “Booneville”By Robert Mailer. As I pulled into a small parking lot off Skyline Drive and gazed up the trunks of the spectacular giant sequoia’s , I got the vibe to finish the book HERE AND NOW. It was a powerful force that pulled me into the thick forest to find a log in the sunlight to use as home base for a while. The sheer size of the trees puts life into perspective. (see photo) The occasional sound of a bird or 2 was complete bliss among the silence.
I rolled a large bubblesnake of the Trainwreck hash and carefully placed it in the center of a small pile of the AK-47. When rolled carefully, the hash will remain in the center of all the herb and smoke evenly. The place was full of good vibes and the whole experience was uplifting to my spirits which had been out of balance prior to the trip.
The wedding was a blast. Everything was picture perfect. It was great seeing old friends on such a blessed occasion
Early the next morning I decided a trip to the “secret spot” was in order. I hit the road to Halfmoon Bay. Mavericks is not listed on any maps, part of any bus tour, and until recently, mostly unknown to all but the locals and a few giants in their field of surfing. .I have been on the beach watching 15’-20’ waved roll in one after the other while jet ski’s are launching surfers in the path of giant waves. Today, at Mavericks, only a lone fisherman working for his lunch is seen as the waves must be peaking elsewhere. (PHOTO)
Due to the recent popularity of the “not-so secret spot”, local Police have stepped up regular patrols on the only road in or out of the area known as Mavericks. There is also an adjacent military installation – radars or something – so it is not a good place to smoke in your car.
Along the beach, on a bluff, or in the water, as long as you are not on Federal land California Medical Marijuana Users can legally smoke in any place that it is legal to smoke tobacco with the exception of in your automobile.
TRAVEL TIPS:
Always carry a copy of your Dr. Recommendation. LEO may not accept your Club Card, but will accept your Dr. Note.
Plan your trip in advance. Travel deals are best when booked 14 days ahead of time..
Send a copy of your Dr. Recommendation weeks ahead to get pre verified before you go to a dispensing collective for the first time..
When traveling through rural California, DO NOT STRAY OFF THE ROAD, DO NOT TRESSPASS, DO NOT GO HUNTING FOR MJ GARDENS.
Stay on developed paths and park trails to enjoy California’s unique landscape safely.
Don’t try to score on the streets. Areas like Haight Ashby and Venice Beach are a haven for street ripoffs.
Go see your doctor and discuss how medical marijuana could help you.
Thanks to Gypsy and ICMAG for another opportunity to do what I like to do and let y’all hear about it.
By Joe Dirt
At the time this trip was taken, the Supreme Court of the USA had not issued a decision on the Medical Marijuana ruling in Raich VS Gonzales. This is a key ruling that will determine the Federal Governments position on states rights in regards to Interstate Commerce. The reality is that the whole thing is over a few plants grown by a few sick people for personal medical use as recommended by a California State Licensed MD. Although the ruling will not change the current State Laws (Prop 215 and State Bill 420) it will give certain prosecutors more incentive to turn patients over to the DEA knowing that they will prosecute a case that the Local County DA knows they cannot win. Prosecutors in Counties such as Mendocino, Sonoma, and others mostly Northern California often choose not to even bother going after a legit medical user if they are showing intent to follow the State Laws and Limits. Other Counties are not so compassionate and will let you go free only to find the DEA waiting for you in the other office.
9 States currently have Medical Marijuana laws on the books with more to follow.
With another hectic year behind me, it is time once again to take a trip. The wedding of a good friend was good enough incentive to grab the camera and a rent-a-car and hit the road on another MEDUSERS CANNAVENTURE.
The morning of the trip I awoke to a well cured nugget of C99 (GNO3). Since the Airports are still Federally operated, traveling with meds is still a no-no. Just ask Montel Williams. I finished the sweet smoke and had plenty of time to relax before the flight to Northern California. The high lasted the whole flight.
When I arrived in San Jose, the capitol of Silicon (and Silicone) Valley, I had only one thing in mind… well, 2 things.
TRAVEL TIP:
When I prepare for traveling, I like the ease of the ONLINE , one-stop shopping of the wholesale travel websites like Expedia or Orbitz. Using your Frequent Flier program, and booking your flight, hotel and rental car online can save you a good chunk of change, and you get to enjoy stress free travel.
While visiting California, I recommend using a rental car or have a friend with a car. Public transit is great in the larger cities, but does not allow the freedom of spontaneous side trips to the more out of the way spots.
With a full tank of gas I was off to take care of getting the necessities of the trip..It should take about an hour to drive from San Jose to the City of San Francisco, maybe a bit longer due to the horrible traffic that plagues most urban areas these days. The drive takes me through the scenic peninsula of Silicon Valley. Once in the city I head directly to THE VAPOUR ROOM in the lower Haight.
The City of San Francisco currently has over 60 dispensing collectives, or CLUBS as they are commonly called. Once you go the City of San Francisco Health Department and submit your Doctor’s Recommendation, they issue you a photo id card that is accepted at most Collectives. The Oakland Cannabis Buyers Club (OCBC) is another registry system that allows patient verifications by LEO 24 hours a day to help prevent arrest and seizure of your medical herbs.
Once I arrive at the Vapour Room I show my ID card at the door for entry into the lounge area. In the lounge you can find a Volcano Vaporizer for you to try and a comfortable seating area. Just past the lounge is the dispensary. It is a glass display case full of medication in jars, rolled into joints and baked into food items.
The large glass jars of medicine are arranged by canna – profile with Sativas on the left , Hybrids in the middle, and Indicas to the right. They also have an impressive tray with about 12 types of hash. I saw the Trainwreck Bubblehash and had to have it for the trip. It was gooey and amber colored. It sizzled as it smoked inside the joint we rolled with some of the MAUI they had. The other strain we purchased was AK-47.
The Public Transportation in the city is great. I left the rental car in the Haight, grabbed the backpack and headed toward Fisherman’s Wharf on foot. On a clear quit day you can find a spot to hang out overlooking the San Francisco Bay, from Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate to enjoy a nice smoke. This is not recommended for busy times on the weekend or holidays because of the amount of people around.
PLEASE BE SURE NOT TO SMOKE ON NATIONAL PARK PROPERTY, IE: Fort Mason. They have a zero tolerance policy as it is a Federal Property.
EAT HERE:
After the smooth smoke I enjoyed a peaceful urban hike to China Town for lunch at one of my favorite places… The House Of Nan King. Many years ago this place was a dump, but the food was always great. If you did not know what you wanted to order, and dare ask the owner/waiter for a suggestion NO SOUP FOR YOU! Just like the soup Nazi from the TV show Seinfeld, this was a NO BULLSHIT place. He would ask you “chicken or pork” then bring you whatever he wanted. This is why I love this place. The charm of real people and great food always bring me back. They have now renovated the place and cleaned it up a bit, but the food is still the same, and the service is too! I always order the Nan King Chicken and the Chicken Potstickers with spicy peanut sauce.
GOT GAME?
China town is just a short walk from South Park. This area has grown since the Baseball Park was built a few years ago. You can watch up to 4 innings FREE in a special public viewing area right at field level. There are also great restaurants and bars along with markets and very expensive condos and hotels.
Walk out to one of the public piers for a great view of the Bay Bridge, Oakland and Sausalito. Usually these piers are quiet enough to enjoy a careful toke.
There is so much to see and do in the city that you really need to spend a few days there to get adjusted and see all the wonderful sights.
California is blessed with variety. Not only does it boast the origins of Skunk#1 and other fine varieties of Cannabis, it is also the home of notable areas such as the wine making regions of Santa Barbra, Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino. World class wines and beauty are all around, but we can not forget places like Mavericks, a big wave surfers wet dream.
The lush Mendocino Forest stands out in contrast to the arid deserts of Death Valley, as does the alien landscape of Vasquez rocks (SEE PHOTO), the Location where Star Trek filmed it’s famous Lizzard Man episode only an hour outside the sprawling urban wasteland of Los Angeles.
Back on the road and in search of adventure I decided to take Skyline Drive back from San Francisco to San Jose where I was to be a guest at a wedding that next day. A nice diversion from the often stressful 101 freeway, SkylineDrive is at the crest of the San Mateo Mountains. As the gateway to Halfmoon bay and Santa Cruz, it is lined with old growth Redwoods and rolling pasture lands meeting up with steep lush mountainside. Several thousand cannabis plants were recently uprooted by CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Propagation) in this area. I hope a few survived and will be enjoyed this fall.
Before the trip I started reading a Novel about an experience in a small town in Mendocino called “Booneville”By Robert Mailer. As I pulled into a small parking lot off Skyline Drive and gazed up the trunks of the spectacular giant sequoia’s , I got the vibe to finish the book HERE AND NOW. It was a powerful force that pulled me into the thick forest to find a log in the sunlight to use as home base for a while. The sheer size of the trees puts life into perspective. (see photo) The occasional sound of a bird or 2 was complete bliss among the silence.
I rolled a large bubblesnake of the Trainwreck hash and carefully placed it in the center of a small pile of the AK-47. When rolled carefully, the hash will remain in the center of all the herb and smoke evenly. The place was full of good vibes and the whole experience was uplifting to my spirits which had been out of balance prior to the trip.
The wedding was a blast. Everything was picture perfect. It was great seeing old friends on such a blessed occasion
Early the next morning I decided a trip to the “secret spot” was in order. I hit the road to Halfmoon Bay. Mavericks is not listed on any maps, part of any bus tour, and until recently, mostly unknown to all but the locals and a few giants in their field of surfing. .I have been on the beach watching 15’-20’ waved roll in one after the other while jet ski’s are launching surfers in the path of giant waves. Today, at Mavericks, only a lone fisherman working for his lunch is seen as the waves must be peaking elsewhere. (PHOTO)
Due to the recent popularity of the “not-so secret spot”, local Police have stepped up regular patrols on the only road in or out of the area known as Mavericks. There is also an adjacent military installation – radars or something – so it is not a good place to smoke in your car.
Along the beach, on a bluff, or in the water, as long as you are not on Federal land California Medical Marijuana Users can legally smoke in any place that it is legal to smoke tobacco with the exception of in your automobile.
TRAVEL TIPS:
Always carry a copy of your Dr. Recommendation. LEO may not accept your Club Card, but will accept your Dr. Note.
Plan your trip in advance. Travel deals are best when booked 14 days ahead of time..
Send a copy of your Dr. Recommendation weeks ahead to get pre verified before you go to a dispensing collective for the first time..
When traveling through rural California, DO NOT STRAY OFF THE ROAD, DO NOT TRESSPASS, DO NOT GO HUNTING FOR MJ GARDENS.
Stay on developed paths and park trails to enjoy California’s unique landscape safely.
Don’t try to score on the streets. Areas like Haight Ashby and Venice Beach are a haven for street ripoffs.
Go see your doctor and discuss how medical marijuana could help you.
Thanks to Gypsy and ICMAG for another opportunity to do what I like to do and let y’all hear about it.
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